Softball Headline

Sunday April 17, 2005Softball Drops Final Game of Series to No. 6 Tennessee

The No. 15 Florida Softball (34-12, 13-5 SEC) team dropped the final game of the series with No. 6 Tennessee (45-9, 13-6 SEC), 6-2, on Sunday afternoon at the Florida Softball Stadium. The lady Vols capitalized on 11 hits and two Gator errors for the win. Despite the loss, Florida wins the series two game to one and remains one game ahead of Tennessee in second place in the SEC East and third overall with nine games remaining.

Tennessee scored first in the top of the opening frame. Stacey Jennings drew a walk with one out. After a Kristi Durant strikeout, Jennings stole second. Jennings scored on a Tonya Callahan base hit up the middle for a 1-0 Tennessee lead.

The Lady Vols added another run in the third. Durant led off the inning with a base hit to left field. LaDonna Oliver came in to pinch run for her. A Callahan ground out to Lindsay Norfleet at third allowed Oliver to advance to second. A Katherine Card triple with two outs put Tennesee up 2-0.

Florida tied the game in its half of the fourth. With two outs, Kristen Butler dropped a base hit in centerfield. Stacie Pestrak came in to pinch run for her. Melissa Zick followed with a base hit to right. Pestrak rounded second on the play, saw the ball get away from the Lady Vols right fielder and took advantage of the miscue to score Florida’s first run of the day. Mandy Schuerman drew a two-out walk. Savana Kelly drove a shot up the middle to score Zick to tie the game at 2-2.

Tennessee broke the tie with a solo home run by Callahan in the top of the fifth.

The Lady Vols scored three more runs on two walks, two base hits and a Gator error in the top of the sixth to seal the 6-2 victory.

Florida has a week to rest and refocus before Mississippi State comes to Gainesville next weekend. Saturday’s doubleheader will begin at 1 p.m., as will Sunday’s single game. Saturday will be Nikki Baldwin Day and the first 250 fans will receive free No. 6 t-shirts. Saturday is also Luau Day at the Florida Softball Stadium. The first 500 fans will receive a lei, there will be a Hawaiian shirt contest and kids can bounce around in the inflatables. The regular season is all building up to the SEC Tournament which will be played at the Florida Softball Stadium May 12-15.